Page 222 of Taken Away

Suddenly, the entries didn't seem remarkable at all.

He closed the planner.

"I've been talking to folks around town."

"I'm sure you have."

"They all tell me the same thing."

Patsy folded her hands.

"And what's that?"

"Harold Blackwood."

A shadow crossed her face.

"Yes."

"They say Harold came between Anne and Mabel."

Patsy was quiet for several moments.

Finally, she shook her head.

"No."

Burke waited.

"Harold was the breaking point."

Patsy looked out the kitchen window toward the mountains.

"But he wasn't the whole story."

Burke frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Patsy's smile held more sadness than humor.

"People like simple stories."

"They do."

"They'd rather believe two sisters quit speaking over one handsome man."

Burke uncapped his pen.

"I think," he said quietly, "I'd like to hear that story."

Patsy looked toward the photograph hanging in the hallway.

Then back at Burke.

"So would've Mabel."

She folded her hands around her coffee cup.